Viral TikTok warning has Chicago-area schools on alert Friday

A nationwide challenge on the social media app has parents and schools worried, but police say the warnings are not credible

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The latest viral TikTok trend is a worrying one. Although authorities say there are no specific threats to schools, some districts have decided to increase police presence on Friday, December 17.

In suburban Park Ridge, the police department posted the following on Twitter,

"PRPD is aware of a nationwide threat of violence circulating on the social media site @tiktok_us.There is no indication of a credible threat but as a precaution, there will be an increase in ofc presence @ our schools on 12/17/21."

The video on TikTok remains anonymous, and it warned that schools across the U.S. would be subject to violence on Friday, December 17. The post encourages all students to stay home that day.

Authorities have told the public there is no validity to the threats.

According to the US Department of Homeland Security, there is no credible evidence on the claims, but the public should "remain alert."

Chicago Public Schools alerted parents with the following statement, "The post is vague and not directed at a specific school, and is circulating around school districts across the country. Please do not re-share any suspicious or concerning posts on social media."

In the nearby Joliet Township High School District 204, "out of an abundance of caution," the school district has upped the police presence this Friday.

Tom Gadowski with Park Ridge police told ABC7 Chicago, "This is just something where someone posted and is encouraging violence in the schools. Very simple. I don't want to go any further than saying that there's an encouragement of violence."

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